Our brief:

In 2002 we had delivered five New Manager courses for the client at headquarters and in one of the regions with excellent results. Evaluations showed it to be the highest rated course in Corporate Training’s portfolio and the delegates’ managers were taking a notable interest on their return to work. Could we convert this course into a longer-term programme with on-the-job elements?

The client's stated need:

To develop a programme which would become mandatory for all new managers worldwide.

What we did:

Working in close cooperation with the head of training, we designed a survey of past participants and their managers. Executive management were also consulted as was a steering committee made up of representative levels and functions in the company. Results showed that the programme should involve managers’ own managers and teams, tools to meet real work goals, a practical work-based project showing return on investment and all to be based on the company Vision and Value statement and management competence framework. Together, we designed a 5-stage programme (3-months work-based preparation, 4-day residential course, on-the job project 3-6 months, 2-day residential learning group and VP challenge, completion and sign-off by manager, 1 month).

How it went:

It was a mammoth internal undertaking to approve, create and introduce a worldwide mandatory programme for the client, even with Executive Management endorsement. In 2003, we successfully piloted three programmes; in 2004, we delivered a further six and since then, programmes have continued to take place in Europe, India and USA. The average evaluation score for all programmes is 3.8 on a four-point scale.

Our resources at your disposal:

This achievement shows our ability to truly work alongside the client to define and meet a corporate training need together, to accompany internal professionals on their political journey, meet senior management’s business imperatives and deliver sustained performance in the training room over several years.